Real rugby continues

With the 6 nations finished, the Magners league, European cup and the Guinness Premiership reaching the business end of the season, the Super 14 is not far behind them too. So that is the end of rugby this season right?

Wrong. Around the world there is much international rugby being played. This weekend alone saw/sees the following matches played:

11.05.2008

Nigeria v Cameroun in Younde (WCQ Africa; North Pre qualifier)

10.05.2008

Spain 21, Portugal 17 in Madrid (ENC 1)

Japan 82, Kazakhstan 6 in Almaty (Asia 5 Nations)

Poland 29, Malta 16 in Marsa (ENC 2B)

Latvia 20, Croatia 8 in Riga (ENC 2B)

Armenia 25, Serbia 0 in Yerevan (ENC 3A)

Norway v Bulgaria in Stavanger (ENC 3B)

Bosnia & Herzegovina 22, Slovenia 17 in Zenica (ENC 3C)

Rwanda v Burundi in Bujumbura (CAR Castel Beer Cup, South, Pool A)

09.05.2008

Korea 43, Arabian Gulf 20 in Doha (Asia 5 Nations)

This is fantastic, this is real rugby. We celebrate people taking a day or two off work to travel to represent their country, most likely on a budget airline or on a dodgy bus so the union can save costs and help develop another few players in a school somewhere in their country.

Wouldn’t it be great to see the list of excuses from a 6 nations team who had just travelled to Bucharest in a bus and been beaten…. Something that most of the players above do as a matter of course. We salute you.